More Yamal LNG Cargoes Headed East via Northern Sea Route

File Photo: Two Arc7 ice-class LNG carriers load LNG produced at Yamal LNG at the port of Sabetta, Russia. Photo: Novatek

Russian natural gas produce Novatek said it shipped fifteen cargoes from its Yamal LNG plant to Asia via the Northern Sea Route in the third quarter of 2019, putting it on track to increase eastbound shipments by fourfold compared to last year. 

According to Novatek, the eastbound shipments represent approximately 25 percent of all cargoes shipped from Yamal LNG during the quarter. The company anticipates that, in 2019, LNG delivered eastbound to the Asian Pacific markets via the Northern Sea Route will be increased by more than 4 times compared to 2018.

Currently, a fleet of thirteen Arc7 ice-class LNG carriers, along with lower ice-class vessels, are supporting shipping from the Yamal LNG project, located at the Port of Sabetta on the Yamal Peninsula in northern Russia. The full compliment of 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers are expected to be in operation by the end of the year, increasing the number of direct LNG deliveries eastbound via the NSR, Novatek says.

“The increase of LNG delivered eastbound via the NSR confirms the commercial priority of the Asia-Pacific region as a strategic direction for future deliveries of NOVATEK’s LNG,” said Lev Feodosyev, NOVATEK’s First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board. “Developing further the navigational efficiency via the NSR combined with the construction of LNG transshipment complexes in Kamchatka and Murmansk will optimize the Company’s logistics chain.”

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